Here’s what’s in fRoots, Nos. 317/318, November/December 2009

THE EDITOR’S BOX

Ian Anderson’s comment column.

fROOTS PLAYLIST

Recent stuff we like.

CHARTS & LISTS

Specialist and general roots music album sales and airplay charts.

REVIEWS

Our key section reviewing all the latest CDs and more - loads bite the dust. No punches pulled!

ROOTING ABOUT

What’s happening: packed pages of festivals, gigs, tours, radio, CDs and all kinds of roots-related stuff. The most you’ll find anywhere…

COMPETITION

Win Woody Guthrie suitcased sets!

ROOT SALAD

A cross-section of featurettes: Louisiana’s Sara Savoy, Canadian/Malian duo Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko, classical-meets-Arabic band Joglaresa, the USA’s Groanbox Boys, Gambia’s Sofa Nyama Band, the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, Italy’s multi-cultural L’Orchestra Di Piazza Vittorio, and Bosnia’s Amira in the Rocket Launcher.

LOOKING FOR A NEW ENGLAND

New folk: old roots. A state-of-the-art new English folk CD comes free with this issue courtesy of Arts Council England. Sleeve notes here are by Colin Irwin.

GOING LATIN UNDERGROUND

Some estimates put the Latin American population in the UK at over a million, and they’ve brought their roots musics along with them. Jamie Renton digs beneath the slick salsa surface to find raw chicha, vallenata, llanera, loads of cumbia and much more. Party time!

FRANCOMANIA

It’s 20 years since the death of Congolese musical giant Franco. Chris May explains why Europe and America have undervalued his status in Africa.

SPIROPRACTORS

“Don’t mention the war,” frets Elizabeth Kinder as she heads off to interview Spiro, the virtuoso band who are breathing new life into (whisper) English folk tunes.

BEATS WITH A HEART

Sacred music from Iran meets California and survives in the hands of Niyaz. Jamie Renton bows down in the presence of charismatic singer Azam Ali.

ALLEN'S THE KEY

He co-created Afrobeat alongside Fela Kuti back in the 1960s, and he’s still attacking that drum kit as he approaches 70. Jon Lusk talks to Nigeria’s Tony Allen.

ICELAND ARISES

Its economy may be in ruins, but local roots music is on the upsurge. Paul Sullivan reports in from Reykjavik.

BRITISH MUSIC AT WOMEX

Who’s flying the flag via the British Stand at Womex 2009 in Copenhagen.

BIFF!

Our exclusive cartoon strip.